Purpose: Develop a standard TEAM defensive zone break
out that assigns specific responsibilities to specific positions for moving the
puck out of the Defensive Zone. Develops players ability to react to specific
game scenarios to control the puck, support the defenseman with the puck, and
move the puck quickly out of the zone while maintaining control. This control
should enhance and quicken the transition from defense to offense by keeping the
puck in motion.

Directions: Player 1 and 2 are forwards and are
responsible for the points. These are mirror positions and we will refer player
1 as the strong side and player 2 as the weak side. Player 3 is responsible for
the coverage of the low slot. Player 4 is responsible for getting control of the
puck and quarterbacking the breakout.

1a. Players roll into their breakout positions as the
game transitions from defense to offense. Players 1 and 2 skate to the boards
towards the puck around the top of the face-off circles. Player 3 skates to
cover the low slot. Player 4 gets the puck. There should be no assignment of any
of these positions. The players should make these decisions. Closest one to the
puck becomes player 4. Second closest becomes player 3. The other 2 need to
determine which board they will skate to.

1b. Player 4 rolls to the strong side. Player 3 rolls
out of the slot to the weak side goalie line and becomes an escape outlet.
Player 1 readies to receive a pass from player 4. Player 2 starts to cut towards
just high of the high slot.

1c. Player 4 passes to player 1. Player 1 receives
pass. Player 1 passes to the area just above the high slot to player 2. Player 3
begins to streak down the rink in the weak side lane. Player 2 cuts to just
above the high slot receiving the pass from player 1. Player 2 quickly gets
control of the pass and makes an area pass to the weak side lane to player 3.
Player 2 continues down rink into the offensive zone in the new weak side lane
heading toward the net. Player 3 received the zone pass from player 2 and is
heading into the offensive zone in the new strong side lane. Player 1 rolls to
the middle lane and trails behind players 2 and 3 becoming an outlet pass in the
high slot of the offensive zone. Player 1 should not enter the offensive zone
any lower than the high slot. This forms an attacking triangle to create scoring
options. Player 4 trails behind the group supporting the area needed.

1d. Player 3 has scoring options.

Player 3 can pass to the trailing Player 1 in the high slot who can see
the rink better and is in a better quarterbacking situation. Player 1 can then
shoot or quickly pass to player 3 or player 2 for a better shot on goal.

Player 3 can make a weak side pass to player 2 for a backdoor shot on
goal. player 3 should ensure that the goalie has pulled to the strong side
opening the backdoor for player 2.

Player 3 can shoot if the goalie shows him a hole. Player 2 and player 3
should follow in to pick up any rebounds.